Japanese Symbol for
鶴tsuru
crane · longevity · good fortune
Readings
Meaning
Crane, Japanese crane. The crane (鶴) is one of Japan's most beloved symbols — representing longevity, good fortune, fidelity, and grace. It pairs with the tortoise (亀 — kame) as the ultimate symbol of long life.
Example words
折り鶴
orizuru
origami crane (paper-folded crane)
千羽鶴
senbazuru
1000 origami cranes (wish-granting)
鶴亀
tsurukame
crane and tortoise (longevity symbol)
鶴の一声
tsuru no hitokoe
the word of authority (crane's single call)
丹頂鶴
tanchō-zuru
red-crowned crane (Japanese national bird)
恩返し
ongaeshi
repaying a kindness (鶴の恩返し — crane's repayment)
千羽鶴 (senbazuru — 1000 paper cranes) is one of Japan's most powerful symbols of hope. Folding 1000 origami cranes is said to grant a wish. Sadako Sasaki, a Hiroshima atomic bomb survivor who died in 1955, became a symbol of peace after folding cranes during her illness. A golden crane statue stands at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial today.
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